Leadership was never a burden for Al Kellock. As a child, he was happy to take
on the captaincy duties in age-grade teams at Allan Glen’s, his local club
in Bishopbriggs.

The responsibility sat just as easy on his broad shoulders when he led Edinburgh and Glasgow as well. However, it was in Argentina, with Scotland last year, that he really started to like it.

“I learned that I enjoyed it,” said the 29-year-old, who led Scotland to a historic Test series triumph in South America. “I liked the winning feeling as captain.”

That relish for the role goes a long way towards explaining why Scotland coach Andy Robinson has asked Kellock to take on the leader’s role again for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.

So, too, does the fact that the 29 year-old has been conspicuously successful as captain, his record including the dramatic victory over Australia in 2009, when he took over the reins from the injured Chris Cusiter.

However, Robinson’s choice is also a vote of confidence in Kellock as a player. After his triumph in Argentina, Kellock underwent knee surgery that caused him to miss the first three months of the new season.

When he came back, he seemed well below his best for a few weeks, and it is only over the past month that he has shown the form and fitness to deserve his place in the starting line-up.

“Andy made it clear that I had to be picked on form and not because of leadership skills, which is the way I would want it as well,” explained the 27-times-capped player. “I want to be picked because he thinks I’m playing well enough to be picked.”

Kellock’s appointment is all the more noteworthy at a time when Scotland are unusually strong in the second-row department. Nor are they short of experienced leaders, with speculation rife that Mike Blair, John Barclay or Rory Lawson could have been in line to lead the side into the international championship.

“Al’s leadership on and off the field was a key element to our success in Argentina,” explained Robinson. “Since his return from knee surgery, the quality of both his personal displays and the way he has galvanised the Glasgow side, especially over the last month, has been really pleasing.

“I have spoken about the importance of broadening the influence of leaders throughout the side and Rory Lawson, Mike Blair and Chris Cusiter have all led the side well.”

Kellock made his international debut as a replacement against Australia in 2004. His first start for Scotland was against France in 2006. His relatively modest haul of caps, many of which were won off the bench, measures the fact that he has rarely been an automatic selection for Scotland.

Over the past two seasons, however, that status has changed. Stature has never been an issue for the 6ft 8in player, but he has a gift for rising to the big occasion.

He was immense as player and leader in Glasgow’s shock Heineken Cup win in Toulouse two seasons ago, a performance he reprised in the club’s recent home win against Wasps.

“I honestly believe that the captaincy at Glasgow has helped my game and it’s something I enjoy,” Kellock explained. “I want to carry on doing what I have been doing.

“With Andy, we’ve not gone into any specifics about my role, although I’m sure we will as we get closer to the game. At the moment it has just been about carrying on where I left off.”

Scotland open their Six Nations campaign in Paris on Feb 5. They go into the game with a record of five wins from their last six games, a sequence that has moved them up to seventh — after beating South Africa in November they briefly held sixth place — in the IRB world rankings.

“We need our best performance,” said Kellock of the France match. “We can’t expect to go over and play an extremely good French team, play under par and win. There’s no way that will happen. If we can get up to speed and everything goes well then we can beat them.

“On the flip side of that they can do exactly the same and play at the best of their abilities too.”

A number of players were obliged to sit out all or part of Scotland’s training session at their squad camp in St Andrews due to minor injuries. Among them were Barclay, Chris Paterson and Nick De Luca.

However, Scotland assistant coach Gregor Townsend explained that all were making good progress towards recovery.